Traditional Competition - MON, april 7 | pizza stage | 10:15AM-5PM
Creative Competition - Tues, april 8 | pizza stage | 10AM-2:40PM
Get your tickets as it's time to fire up and watch as our finalists slice their way to stardom at RC Show 2025! Restaurants Canada and our partners are on a mission to crown the nation's top pizza makers, and we need you to help cheer them on. Whether you want to see competitiors perfecting the classics or pushing the boundaries of pizza creativity, we've got two thrilling competitions to satisfy all your cravings.
Applications are now closed. Attend RC Show 2025 to watch and cheer on our competitors!
2025 Competition Details
TRADITIONAL PIZZA COMPETITION: Monday, April 7 | 10:15AM-5PM
CREATIVE PIZZA COMPETITION: Tuesday, April 8 | 10AM-2:40PM
Pizza Stage (FAEMA Booth #2127)
- Round 1 - RC Pizza Competition entrants will submit their application
- Round 2 - Our judging panel will select 24 finalists to compete, based on an evaluation of their applications. Finalists will be notified by email of their allotted competition time.
- Round 3 - Finalists will travel to RC Show to partake in the live competition on Monday, April 7 and/or Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Winners will be chosen and announced live at the end of each day of competition.
Competition Prizes
- 1st Place - $3,000 cash prize,
- One (1) 3-Day Buyer Passes and (1) guaranteed entrance for the International Pizza Challenge at Pizza Expo 2026*.
*Note: Prize does not include flight/travel to or accommodations for Pizza Expo in Las Vegas - Matching Knife Set by Diced Knives ($645)
- One (1) 3-Day Buyer Passes and (1) guaranteed entrance for the International Pizza Challenge at Pizza Expo 2026*.
- 2nd Place - $1,500
- Matching Knife Set by Diced Knives ($645)
- 3rd Place - $500
- Matching Knife Set by Diced Knives ($645)
Competition Criteria
Traditional Pizza Criteria
- Dough must be provided by competitors, with enough to craft two (2) traditional 12”-18” round pizzas. Sauce must be a traditional red tomato sauce.
- Limit of two (2) toppings from the provided list: pepperoni, sausage, bacon, ham, mushrooms, salami, peppers, tomatoes, onions, and olives.
- Any number of varieties of each category may be used. For example, competitors may use different types of mushrooms, which would count as one topping. However, contestants are encouraged to keep it simple and traditional.
- No toppings whatsoever, including cheeses, herbs, and spices, may be added to the pizzas during or after baking.
- A drizzle of EVOO after baking is permitted.
- All competitors have 20 minutes total, including clean up.
Creative Pizza Criteria
- Dough must be provided by competitors, with enough to craft two (2) pizzas.
- Pizza must consist of a dough base, with any number or type of sauce and toppings.
- There are no restrictions and/or limits on dough, sauce, toppings, baking or styles. Level up and let your imagination run free!
- Your recipe must be entirely original and created by you.
- All competitors have 20 minutes total, including clean up.
If you have any questions or inquiries regarding the competition, please contact us at Competitions@restaurantscanada.org
2025 Judges & Hosts
JUDGE
Alida Solomon
Chef & Owner, Tutti Matti Restaurant
JUDGE
Domenic Primucci
President, Pizza Nova
JUDGE
Hassi Sadri
Director, Napoli Culinary Academy
JUDGE
Rocco Agostino
Executive Chef & Partner, Pizzeria Libretto Restaurant Group
JUDGE
Matthew Sullivan
Corporate Chef, Aegis Brands
HOST
John Gutenkast
Award-Winning Author, Educator, Entrepreneur, Forager & 8-Time World Pizza Champion, Avalanche Pizza
